This Opportunity
WSP is currently initiating a search for a full time Sr. Environmental Planner for our Northwest Pacific District. The successful candidate will report to one of the following locations: Portland OR, Seattle, WA, or Bend, OR. Be involved in projects with our Earth and Environment Environmental Impact Assessment and Permitting Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our client’s objectives and solves their challenges.
Provides high level technical assistance and guidance for the collection, identification, compiling, and analysis of observational and spatial data concerning a variety of natural resources. Provides support and guidance for environmental permitting projects across multiple sectors with a focus on renewable energy and transmission. Ensures that documentation and recommendations accurately describe the results of analyses and addresses environmental impact and complies with applicable laws, regulations, and policies suitable for permit documentation. Assists project leadership with environmental impact assessment, corrective/mitigation strategy development, permitting, and/or restoration activities. Ensures that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards.
Full description and application are available here. Additional Opportunities with WSP can be found on their full job board.
Your Impact
- Analyze literature, data, and other sources of information to uncover direct, indirect and cumulative environmental impacts.
- Prepare and complete environmental survey reports, data entry, impact assessment, and permitting activities for assigned projects (e.g., Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act permitting, SEPA, NEPA, etc.).
- Prepare documents for local, state, and federal permitting including JPAs/JARPAs, Biological Assessments, critical areas reports, Hydraulic Project Approvals, Shoreline Management Act compliance, and SEPA approvals,
- Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, and other maps and tools to determine exact locations of project areas, site impact, habitat types, and associated physical and wildlife sensitivities.
- Ensure regulatory requirement compliance pertaining to the data integrity, documentation, procedures, training, monitoring systems, and record compliance and retention.
- Lead and provide guidance with data collection efforts for identifying wetlands, streams, sensitive habitats, and other natural resources for projects.
- Perform professional environmental science work and conduct investigations, inspections, and environmental studies and surveys to gain further information on a particular environmental problem or issue, verify site characteristics, and/or to plan for future environmental needs.
- Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, reports, models, cross-sections, and other illustrations for the interpretation or presentation of more complex data, findings, or analyses.
- Prepare comprehensive technical reports and presentations that explain research, findings, and recommendations to address, prevent, control, or restore mid- to larger-scale environmental problems.
- Oversee and monitor cross-functional teams in executing project work, permitting strategy, environmental impact assessments, and regulatory compliance, including project budgets, tracking hours and expenses, and task completion.
- Provide high level oversight for desk-based research, fieldwork, and/or laboratory work, including measurements, data interpretation, and computer modeling.
- Provide environmental risk identification and impact assessment, offering input with developing action plans for moderate- to high-level threat mitigation and permitting activities projects to minimize impacts to the health of the environment and the population.
- Assist with development and scoping of medium-to large-sized projects.
- Coordinate with clients, resource/regulatory agencies, and environmental and technical staff in a confident and professional manner.
- Collaborate with professionals from a variety of disciplines to provide future ready solutions for clients.
- Remain current in latest environmental science subject matter and techniques.
- Actively engage in business development and proposal writing.
- Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
- Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.
Who You Are
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Planning, Ecology, Biology, or equivalent.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in Environmental Permitting or related field, and prior experience with preparing and/or reviewing permits.
- Expertise and experience with relevant environmental laws, permitting requirements, notification and compliance practices, and applicable local/state/federal regulatory framework.
- Demonstrated experience leading and reviewing environmental science technical reports, environmental impact evaluations, siting reports, and environmental permit applications and licensing, including field surveys and reporting, and resource and impact evaluations (e.g., commercial, renewable energy, infrastructure, etc.).
- Existing working relationships with regulatory agencies in the Pacific Northwest, including with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington Department of Ecology, Oregon Department of State Lands, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, and Washington Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation.
- Highly capable self-leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to interact with employees effectively, persuasively, and tactfully at all levels of the organization.
- Ability to work independently and provide guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
- Ability to lead successful business development pursuits with energy clients in the Pacific Northwest.
- Experience managing wildlife and habitat assessments for renewable energy development.
- Knowledge of siting and routing for electric transmission projects.
- Knowledge of wetland permitting requirements in Oregon and Washington.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Microsoft Project Scheduling.
- Energy project development experience with an emphasis on renewable energy and transmission projects.
- Strong project and contract management experience.
- Experience managing teams of regional subject matter experts.
- Ability to travel for meetings and site work.
- Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
- Must have a satisfactory driving record in accordance with the Company's driving (MVR) policy.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree preferred.
- Experience with Washington SEPA; experience with the Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) and the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC).
- Experience with discipline-specific software (i.e., ArcGIS).
Compensation and Benefits:
WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.
Expected Salary: $80,500 - $115,300
WSP USA is providing the compensation range and general description of other compensation and benefits that the company in good faith believes it might pay and/or offer for this position based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities in addition to internal equity and geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, or federal law.
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Additional Requirements
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Additional Details
- Travel Required: 10%
- Job Status: Regular
- Employee Type: Full
- Primary Location: PORTLAND - SW 72ND AVE
- All locations: US-OR-Bend, US-OR-Portland, US-WA-Redmond, US-WA-Seattle
Who We Are
At WSP, we are driven by inspiring future-ready pioneers to innovate. We’re looking to grow our teams with people who are ready to collaborate in building communities and expanding our skylines. To do this, we hire candidates of all experiences, skillsets, backgrounds and walks of life. We actively foster a work environment and culture where inclusion and diversity is part of our fundamental structure. This is delivered behaviorally, through our policies, trainings, local partnerships with professional diverse organizations, internal networks and most importantly with the support and sponsorship of our leaders who help drive our commitment to an inclusive, diverse, welcoming and equitable work environment. Anything is within our reach and yours as a WSP employee. Come join us and help shape the future!
Our Business
We are a global leader in environmental consulting - made stronger with the recent acquisition of Wood’s Environment & Infrastructure business and Golder - with world-class expertise in environmental, social and governance (ESG), climate resiliency & sustainability (CRS), and earth sciences. Combined we have over 20,000 multidisciplinary professionals worldwide collaborating daily to protect and conserve natural landscapes, create firm foundations for communities to stand on, and champion sustainable development to combat climate change.
As part of the team, you will have access to an unparalleled network of resources and endless opportunities to collaborate on exciting projects with diverse teammates from across the globe.